FOCUS ON HIGHWAY SAFETY REQUIRED

Editor:

As we approach the end of another winter, the carnage on the B.C. highways continues.

Drivers must pay attention at all times and in all conditions. Sadly, recent fatalities on our local highways most certainly could have been prevented, but instead have left a trail of broken hearts.

Several of these accidents have involved semi-trailers and buses trying to meet unrealistic deadlines, placed on the driver by the clientele.

How many times have we heard that an accident was caused by weather conditions? Other factors could include improper road maintenance, driving too fast for road conditions and lack of traffic enforcement.

The latter reason would be at the bottom of my list but one cannot rule it out.

I get nervous when I am faced with passing a semi-trailer regardless of existing road conditions at the time. Can you blame me when a fair number of these recent crashes have involved this type of commercial transport?

I believe the answer lies in two words: slow down.

As always, a number of other factors also come into play, including inexperienced drivers, insufficient training, fatigue and driver deadlines.

I believe the provincial government needs to assess all avenues of the general safety of our highways.

George Buttuls Kamloops